Shopify merchants are building their entire businesses around digital products, and why not? Digital products have a long list of upsides compared to physical products.
Finding the best digital products to sell is an incredible way to earn passive income or, even better, your main hustle. But what are they exactly?
What Are Digital Products?
Digital products are items available in a digital format. Customers can download these products without any physical interaction.
They have numerous advantages compared to selling physical products.
Why Should You Sell Digital Products?
Creating a business around selling digital products has its share of benefits, and why not? These products can be created once and sold repeatedly. Below are just a few benefits of selling digital products.
Generate Passive Income
You can put your skills to use and get your side hustle going by selling digital products in your niche.
Lower Production Cost. Higher Profits
Digital products have lower production costs because they do not require shipping payments or inventory management, leading to a higher ROI.
Scale Your Online Store
There’s no limit to selling digital products, allowing you to scale your business exponentially.
So, without beating around the bush, let’s go through the list of the top 8 digital products you can sell online.
The Best Digital Products to Sell Online
Based on our extensive research, we have curated a list of the most profitable digital products right now. Each digital product is based on a different niche, so select the one with which you have the most experience.
eBooks
Source: How to cake it
Ebooks are perfect if you can write your way through anything.
The benefit of eBooks over physical books is their convenience in reading anywhere. Your customers can read them on tablets, smartphones, and computers while sitting idly or travelling.
Pro-tip
Before you pick a topic, make sure of the amount of free content available for it. Pick a niche topic you have experience in and do thorough research. Add a few downloadable sections, and you are good to go.
Online Courses
Source: Shopify Academy
eLearning has carved its niche in the past decade into becoming a giant industry. Platforms like Udemy and Shopify Academy are growing because customers want continuous learning.
Online courses have become one of the best digital products to sell recently. If you are a subject matter expert, you can create an online course and sell it to millions of students.
Pro-tip
Prepare your course with a learning outcome. Once a student enrolls in your course, what should he or she be able to do when the course is completed? Make sure to have an answer to this question.
Ensure your course is interactive so students don’t lose attention and drive as they progress. Quizzes and Q&A sessions will keep the students engaged.
Music & Audio Samples
Source: Materia Store
Musicians, social media influencers, artists, and content creators need music for podcasts, tutorial videos, music videos, and advertisements. If you have expertise in recording music, you can make a killing by selling music & audio samples.
Pro-tip
Bundle your music and audio samples into themes. For example, you can create a bundle for drums, ‘Lo-fi drum beats,’ or music, ‘Slow ambience.’ This grouping of content allows your customers to choose and download it.
Stock Photography
Source: Shutterstock
Content creators need content from other content creators to use in their work. If you have a knack for photography, selling your stock photos is the best option if you want to earn passive income. Websites like iStock and Shutterstock are the best platforms to upload and manage your stock photos.
Pro-tip
Having killer photography skills is not enough. Get quality equipment as well for the best output. Research what content is trending and create your assets accordingly to get maximum downloads.
Exclusive Content Through Digital Memberships
Source: Patreon
YouTube influencers provide exclusive content for their subscribers through platforms like Patreon. These ‘patreons’ are an exclusive community built around their brand. Besides exclusive content, their subscribers also get limited edition merch, never-seen-before videos, interviews and more. This allows content creators to earn a recurring income from their subscribers.
Pro-tip
Create a fear of missing out for your regular subscribers by giving them a glimpse of exclusive content. Your aim should always be to keep the best for exclusive members.
Web & Mobile Applications
Source: Shopify
Web and mobile applications are the bread and butter of entrepreneurs managing their online businesses. If you are a skilled developer, you can develop your app and upload it for review on platforms like Shopify, which has a dedicated app store. Once the Shopify team approves, you can price it and start earning.
Pro-tip
Web and mobile apps work on a recurring model. Update the apps based on customers’ needs and experiences. Add a customer support channel to solve any usability queries.
Printables
Source: Etsy
Printables have a large customer base, from wall art, planners, worksheets, invitation cards, and calendars to custom models for 3d printers. If you have design expertise, websites like Etsy provide a platform to manage your work.
Pro-tip
Designs with instant downloads cannot accept returns. Ensure your files are configured and the designs have no issues once you put them live.
Digital Templates
Source: Retro Supply
Designers create templates to save time and effort while working. These templates allow them to change elements to fit their needs. As a designer, you can offer digital templates for other designers to complete their photo and video editing quickly and efficiently.
Websites like Retro Supply offer templates of retro style based on the software you use.
Pro-tip
Every designer uses different software. If you want to sell a digital template, customise it for the best software in the industry. Update the templates regularly to keep them fresh.
How to Successfully Sell Digital Products?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering selling your digital products online.
Step 1: Pick Your Niche or Become an Affiliate
Find what you are good at and plan to create a revenue stream from it. If you find a content creator, try becoming their affiliate partner to sell digital products.
Step 2: Pick Your Platform
Platforms such as Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and Gumroad offer solutions for best-selling digital products. Based on your needs, choose the best marketplace.
Step 3: Pricing Strategy
Research similar products that your competitors are offering. Set your price based on the services that your competitors are providing. Certain services, such as Shopify’s store development, have different pricing plans. For these, consider tiered pricing plans.
Step 4: Leveraging SEO
Optimize your product descriptions based on popular keywords. This helps customers find your products easily.
Step 5: Promotion
Your store shouldn’t be the only platform you use to promote your digital products. Promote your products through social media, influencers, and email marketing. This helps you reach your target audience faster.
Step 6: Customer Support
Managing digital products is far more technical than managing physical products. Offer excellent customer support to solve queries and provide the latest updates.
Your sales and marketing strategy should highlight how your offer stands among the best digital products to sell online. Now, let’s get some tips for sales and marketing to sell your digital products.
Sales and Marketing Tips for the Best Digital Products to Sell Online
Whether you are a new online merchant or have years of experience in the ecommerce space, below are a few sales and marketing tips to keep in mind when you are selling digital products.
Free Downloadables Through Lead Forms
Customers love free products. Add a lead magnet to your store so customers can enter their emails and download products related to your niche.
Find the Right Influencers
Start a commission-based affiliate program with influencers within your niche. The right influencer can consistently drive traffic and sales to your store.
The Power of Pre-orders
Provide an early-bird offer for your customers. For example, offer a 25% discount for the first 50 customers. Once the first 50 downloads are complete, release the product at its full price.
Ready to Start Your Digital Product Store?
The best digital products to sell are the ones that align with your expertise and help your customers.
Each digital product has its perks and disadvantages. Your expertise is your best friend. Give it enough time, and you never know; your side hustle can become your main hustle.
FAQs
1. Which is the best platform to sell digital products?
Shopify, Sellfy, SendOwl, Gumroad, and Etsy are some of the best platforms to sell digital products.
2. What are some examples of digital products that are most profitable?
Online courses, ebooks, printables, and digital templates are some of the digital products that sell the most.
3. What are some easy digital product ideas for beginners?
Some easy digital product ideas include resume and cover letter templates, printable planners, and font bundles.
4. Can I earn money selling digital products?
The short answer is yes, you can make money. You still need expertise and a strategy for your digital products to sell successfully.
5. Can I sell digital products on Amazon?
Yes. You can sell digital products like ebooks, music, videos, games and more on Amazon.
About the author
Vineet Nair
Vineet is an experienced content strategist with expertise in the ecommerce domain and a keen interest in Shopify. He aims to help Shopify merchants thrive in this competitive environment with technical solutions and thoughtfully structured content.